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Gas dehydration plays a critical role in gas refining processes due to the potential problems caused by the presence of water vapor. The inclusion of water vapor can lead to issues such as hydrate formation, pressure drop, and pipeline corrosion. In this research, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) absorbent was employed to absorb water vapor and subsequently, its absorption performance was compared with the absorption of tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) and lithium chloride, the most commonly used absorbents in water vapor separation processes. To do so, the influence of several effective parameters, including the inlet air flow rate, different ratios of choline chloride to urea (ChCl:Urea), the weight percentage of liquid water in the absorbent, and the viscosity of DES were investigated. The results demonstrated that DES is highly efficient for water vapor separation, outperforming both TEG and aqueous lithium chloride solutions. Moreover, increasing the inlet air flow rate was found to decrease absorption recovery due to reduced residence time. Additionally, a ChCl ratio of 1:2 yielded the highest absorption efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research introduces a new method to synthesize poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)-based deep eutectic solvent (DES)-supported anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) for alkaline fuel cell (AFC) applications. The fabrication method involved the modification of a PVA-based crosslinked nanofiber mat with DES prepared by mixing choline chloride (ChCl) and ethylene glycol (EG) in a 1:3 molar ratio. Various concentrations of glutaraldehyde (GA) solution were used to cross-link of the PVA fibers. The composite AEM developed using DES was designated as DES3@PVA4 and showed improved performance with a high hydroxide conductivity of 1.05 mS/cm at 60 °C, which is higher than that of the unmodified AEM (0.77 ± 0.01 mS/cm at 60 °C). The absence of swelling, enhanced elongation at break, and improved alkaline stability were further confirmed for the DES-modified AEM; the ionic conductivity remained stable after one month of soaking in 1 M potassium hydroxide solution. These results demonstrate that DES-enhanced PVA-based AEMs can be used for AFCs with improved conductivity, flexibility, mechanical strength, and alkaline stability compared to conventional AEMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are popular green media used for various industrial, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications. However, the possible compositions of eutectic systems are so numerous that it is impossible to study all of them experimentally. To remedy this limitation, the solubility landscape of selected active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in choline chloride- and betaine-based deep eutectic solvents was explored using theoretical models based on machine learning. The available solubility data for the selected APIs, comprising a total of 8014 data points, were collected for the available neat solvents, binary solvent mixtures, and DESs. This set was augmented with new measurements for the popular sulfa drugs in dry DESs. The descriptors used in the machine learning protocol were obtained from the σ-profiles of the considered molecules computed within the COSMO-RS framework. A combination of six sets of descriptors and 36 regressors were tested. Taking into account both accuracy and generalization, it was concluded that the best regressor is nuSVR regressor-based predictive models trained using the relative intermolecular interactions and a twelve-step averaged simplification of the relative σ-profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) show promising abilities for the delamination of multilayer packaging films that are used in food packaging and in pharmaceutical blister packs. Due to the complexity of their structure, the recycling of such materials is a challenging task, leading to the easiest or cheapest disposal option of either landfill or incineration. Towards the development of 'green' solvents for efficient waste management and recycling, this research focuses on the preparation of a range of hydrophobic and hydrophilic DESs based on carboxylic acids in combination with various naturally derived aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds as well as amino acids. Chemical and physical characterization of the solvents was undertaken using differential scanning calorimetry, rheometry, and density measurements for the determination of their properties. Subsequently, batches of solvent were tested against different types of consumer packaging to evaluate the ability of the DES to delaminate these structures into their component materials. The laminate packaging waste products tested were Al/PE, PE/Al/PET, Al/PE/paper, and PVC/PE/Al. Separated films were collected and studied to further examine the effect of solvent delamination on the materials. Depending on the DES formulation, the results showed either partial or full delamination of one or more of the packaging materials, albeit there were challenges for certain solvent systems in the context of delivering a broad delamination efficiency. Variables including temperature, agitation rate, mixing time, and solvent ratios were investigated via a Design of Experiments process to assess the effects of these parameters on the delamination outcome. The results showed that the DESs presented in this research can offer an efficient, low-energy, affordable, and green option for the delamination of laminate packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research concerns the development and implementation of ground-breaking strategies for improving the sorting, separation, and recycling of common flexible laminate packaging materials. Such packaging laminates incorporate different functional materials in order to achieve the desired mechanical performance and barrier properties. Common components include poly(ethylene) (PE), poly(propylene) (PP), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), as well as valuable barrier materials such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) and aluminium (Al) foils. Although widely used for the protection and preservation of food produce, such packaging materials present significant challenges for established recycling infrastructure and, therefore, to our future ambitions for a circular economy. Experience from the field of ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has been leveraged to develop novel green solvent systems that delaminate multilayer packaging materials to facilitate the separation and recovery of high-purity commodity plastics and aluminium. This research focuses on the development of a hydrophobic DES and the application of a Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology to investigate the effects of process parameters on the delamination of PE/Al/PET laminate packaging films. Key variables including temperature, time, loading, flake size, and perforations were assessed at laboratory scale using a 1 L filter reactor vessel. The results demonstrate that efficient separation of PE, Al, and PET can be achieved with high yields for material and solvent recovery. Recovered plastic films were subsequently characterised via Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to qualify the quality of plastics for reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to find the independent predictors of Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) measured immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent implantation (post-PCI FFR) and investigate if applying vessel-specific post-PCI FFR cut-off values to predict target vessel failure (TVF), a composite of cardiac death (CD), non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and target vessel revascularization (TVR), or a composite of CD and MI ameliorated its predictive power. Methods: Consecutive patients with post-PCI FFR measurement at our center between 2009 and 2021 were included in this analysis. Results: A total of 434 patients with 500 vessels were included. Median pre-PCI FFR was 0.72 with no difference between LAD and non-LAD vessels. Median post-PCI FFR was 0.87. LAD location, male gender, smaller stent diameter, and lower pre-PCI FFR proved to be significant predictors of a lower post-PCI FFR. On a vessel-level, post-PCI FFR, stent length, and diabetes mellitus proved to be significant predictors of TVF and the composite of CD and MI. The best post-PCI FFR cut-off to predict TVF or a composite of CD and MI was 0.83 in the LAD and 0.91 in non-LAD vessels. Conclusion: LAD location is a predictor of a lower post-PCI FFR. Post-PCI FFR is an independent predictor of TVF as well as of the composite of CD and MI. No uniform target post-PCI FFR value exists; different cut-off values may have to be applied in LAD as opposed to non-LAD vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The role of distinct institutional context in shaping employment practices is particularly evident in emerging markets where institutional measures are often evolving and not yet fully established. This presents several challenges, particularly for multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in such contexts. This research paper aims to provide a comparative analysis of HRM practices, specifically recruitment and selection, internal career opportunities and performance appraisals between domestic and multinational companies in a large emerging economy, that is India. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, survey-based data was gathered from a diverse sample of 252 companies, comprising both domestic enterprises (DEs) and MNCs, to collect comprehensive data on HRM practices. The aim is to provide a nuanced understanding of the variations in HRM approaches between DEs and MNCs, taking into account the unique institutional context of the Indian market. Findings: Contrary to initial expectations, the study's findings do not support the hypothesis that MNCs would prioritize more rigorous and effective HRM practices compared to DEs in the Indian context. Instead, the results reveal that DEs place a greater emphasis on effective HRM practices than their MNC counterparts, despite the latter's international reach and operational success. These findings shed light on the distinctive HRM strategies used by MNCs and DEs when navigating the complexities of the Indian market. Originality/value: This study contributes to the existing IB literature by providing a comparative perspective that emphasizes DEs proclivity for institutional entrepreneurship and change. Exploring the resource dynamics for both MNCs and DEs, the study showcases them as divergent adaptive navigators within (in)formal institutional logics, adept at navigating and influencing institutional structures and shaping distinct HRM practices. The findings challenge traditional assumptions about HRM priorities of MNCs and DEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatin hydrogel with excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility is widely used in drug delivery, electronic devices, and flexible sensors. However, it is prone to dehydration, which severely restricts its applications. The incorporation of hydrated ions, for example choline chloride (ChCl), can not only improve its water retention capacity but also keep its biocompatibility. Unfortunately, the improvement in water retention is realized at the expense of mechanical properties because the ChCl can suppress the crystallization of gelatin. Here, ChCl is introduced into gelatin hydrogel using a simple post‐treatment to simultaneously improve its water retention capacity and mechanical properties. As a result, the resultant gelatin gel possesses a maximum fracture strength of 5.4 MPa with a strain of 623% and can maintain its weight for at least 30 days. In addition, the gelatin gel exhibits intriguing properties, such as self‐healing, anti‐freezing, anti‐drying, recycling, conductivity, and moldability, which can be successfully served as wearable sensors to monitor human movements. Further, a sensitive touch sensor based on electrode potential is established for the first time using the obtained gel, which can transmit messages through the touch potential signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wake behind an aircraft carrier under heavy wind condition is a key concern in ship design. The Chinese Liaoning ship's upturned bow and the island on the deck could cause serious flow separation in the landing and take-off area. The flow separation induces strong velocity gradients and intense pulsations in the flow field. In addition, the sway of the aircraft carrier caused by waves could also intensify the flow separation. The complex flow field poses a significant risk to the shipboard aircraft take-off and landing operation. Therefore, accurately predicting the wake of an aircraft carrier during wave action motion is of great interest for design optimization and recovery aircraft control. In this research, the aerodynamic around an aircraft carrier (i.e., Liaoning) was analyzed using the computational fluid dynamics technique. The validity of two turbulence models was verified through comparison with the existing data from the literature. The upturned bow take-off deck and the right-hand island were the main areas where flow separation occurred. Delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES), which combines the advantages of LES and RANS, was adopted to capture the full-scale spatial and temporal flow information. The DDES was also coupled with the overset grid to calculate the flow field characteristics under the effect of hull sway. The downwash area at 15° starboard wind became shorter when the hull was stationary, while the upwash area and turbulence intensity increased. The respective characteristics of the wake flow field in the stationary and swaying state of the ship were investigated, and the flow separation showed a clear periodic when the ship was swaying. Comprehensive analysis of the time-dependent flow characteristic of the approach line for fixed-wing naval aircraft is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) offer an appealing green medium for the activation of cellulose fibres to promote their swelling, reactivity, hydrolysis, disintegration, and solubility for further processing. Typically, DES treatments are carried out below 5 wt% consistency even though a higher solids content could enhance the fibre activation and reduce the solvent consumption. In this work, a high-consistency (HC) mechano-chemical activation of bleached softwood kraft pulp was elucidated using a simultaneous fibre treatment with DES of choline chloride-urea and a sigma-type kneader or a twin-screw extruder at a solids content of 15–35 wt% and 30 wt%, respectively. Both HC treatments efficiently triggered fibre swelling, which was indicated by an increase in the fibre width, and loosened the cell wall structure which was indicated by an increase in the mesopore volume. Mechano-chemical HC processing generated fibre fines and external fibrillation, while the molecular-level structural alteration or changes in chemical composition were minor; the intrinsic viscosity and the crystallinity of the pulp remained at their initial level and only a small amount of xylan was dissolved. Overall, HC treatment in a twin-screw extruder caused notably more severe morphological changes in the fibres than batch treatment in a sigma-type kneader. Thus, the mechano-chemical HC treatment with DES provides an industrially relevant technology for cellulose modification and opens possibilities to enhance heterogeneous cellulose modification processes in which the highly available surface area of pulp is a key parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self adhesion is a simple and effective bonding technique that can be used to produce environmentally friendly and green straw-based fiberboard (CLS) through deep eutectic-like solvent (DES) treatment. This article mainly introduces the use of DES composed of choline chloride and oxalic acid. DES is diluted with deionized water and straw is immersed in it, and finally dried into pretreated fiber raw materials. Fiber boards are prepared by adjusting the hot pressing parameters and the preset moisture content of straw itself for hot pressing solidification. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different processing parameters (hot pressing temperature and straw moisture content) on the microstructure, physical properties, and mechanical properties of CLS. Straw-based fiberboard heated at 180 ° C exhibited the best mechanical and water resistance performance. The fiberboard reached its highest mechanical performance at a moisture content of 50%. The bending performance of fiberboard produced at 180 °C reached 13.5 MPa, and compared with the board manufactured at 120 °C, the bending strength, tensile strength, and internal bonding strength increased by 320%, 224%, and 280%, respectively.

Abstract This research introduces a new method to synthesize poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)-based deep eutectic solvent (DES)-supported anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) for alkaline fuel cell (AFC) applications. The fabrication method involved the modification of a PVA-based crosslinked nanofiber mat with DES prepared by mixing choline chloride (ChCl) and ethylene glycol (EG) in a 1:3 molar ratio. Various concentrations of glutaraldehyde (GA) solution were used to cross-link of the PVA fibers. The composite AEM developed using DES was designated as DES3@PVA4 and showed improved performance with a high hydroxide conductivity of 1.05 mS/cm at 60 °C, which is higher than that of the unmodified AEM (0.77 ± 0.01 mS/cm at 60 °C). The absence of swelling, enhanced elongation at break, and improved alkaline stability were further confirmed for the DES-modified AEM; the ionic conductivity remained stable after one month of soaking in 1 M potassium hydroxide solution. These results demonstrate that DES-enhanced PVA-based AEMs can be used for AFCs with improved conductivity, flexibility, mechanical strength, and alkaline stability compared to conventional AEMs.

The extraction of organic pollutants from environmental samples using green solvents has received a lot of interest recently. Simply said, this is due to their extremely low toxicity and volatility when compared to the common organic solvents. Therefore, many extraction exercises now include ionic solvents, as well as the more current deep eutectic solvents (DES). Hence, the current study reports on 1) the synthesis and characterisation of choline chloride/oxalic acid (1:1) and choline chloride/urea (1:2) deep eutectic solvents and 2) their application in liquid-liquid and solid-liquid assisted extraction of 14 targeted OPFRs from landfill leachate and sediment samples. The densities, refractive indices and melting points of the DES measured were 1.11 ± 0.15 g/mL, 1.14 ± 0.10 g/mL; 1.50 ± 0.12, 1.45 ± 0.20; and 12 ± 0.05°C, 35 ± 0.06–55 ± 0.05°C for choline chloride/urea (1:2) and choline chloride/oxalic acid (1:1) respectively. Choline chloride/urea (1:2) and choline chloride/oxalic acid (1:1) viscosities were 87.0 ± 0.20 kg·m −1·s −1 and 13.5 ± 0.14 kg·m −1·s −1 respectively. 1H NMR and FTIR confirmed the structures of the two DES. Recoveries using internal standards dTPP, dTBP, dTPrP and 13C18MTPP ranged from 59.9 ± 7.41–103 ± 5.32%; whereas the percent recoveries using CRM ranged from 85.7–117%. In the leachate (510–1433 ng/L) and sediment (725–1224 ng/g dw) samples from each landfill, 14 and 13 targeted OPFRs, respectively, were detected. The high recoveries and extraction of OPFRs demonstrated by the two DES imply that these could replace conventional organic solvents used to extract OPFRs from environmental media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) characterized by progressive myocardial loss and replacement with fibro-fatty tissue is a major cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). In particular, ACM with predominantly left ventricular involvement, known as arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy (ALVC), has a poor prognosis. Methods The proband underwent whole-exome sequencing (WES) to determine the etiology of ALVC. Family members were then analyzed using PCR and Sanger sequencing. Clinical evaluations including 12-lead ECG, transthoracic echocardiography, and cardiac MRI were performed for all available first-degree relatives. Results WES identified two variants in the FLNC (c.G3694A) and JUP (c.G1372A) genes, the combination of which results in ALVC and SCD. Conclusion The present study comprehensively investigates the involvement of two discovered variants of FLNC and JUP in the pathogenesis of ALVC. More study is necessary to elucidate the genetic factors involved in the etiology of ALVC.

Abstract Endometriosis is a common condition that affects 5% to 10% of women during their reproductive years, although the aetiology and pathophysiology are still unknown. This study aimed to create an endometriosis model in rats to investigate the efficacy of natural and synthetic medications in treating endometriosis. An in vivo endometriotic model was established using a surgical induction method and the endocrine-disrupting drug diethylstilbestrol (DES). In brief, the experiment is categorised into three different groups. Each group contains five rats. The first group had no surgery, while in the in the second group of rats (n = 5), two small tissue grafts were fixed at the right and left walls of the abdomen. But in the in the third group of rats (n = 5), two small pieces of tissue have been grafted on the right and left abdomen walls by surgically along with DES treatments. Noninvasive photoacoustic imaging (PAI) was employed in the study to measure factors such as haemoglobin levels, oxygen saturation, and the size of endometriotic lesions. Histopathological analysis was carried out utilising staining techniques such as Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson's Trichrome, and Periodic Acid Schiff, as well as immunohistochemistry with marker antibodies. Molecular markers in uterine tissue were examined using Western blots and real-time PCR. The developed endometriosis rat model showed a significant increase in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, angiogenic marker VEGF and pro-inflammatory (COX-2 and IL-6) protein markers. In contrast to the control group, the treatment group had considerably lower Caspase-3 expression levels. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) data demonstrated a constant increase in lesion size, as well as a decrease in oxygen saturation levels. The findings suggest that the in vivo endometriosis rat model may accurately assess the efficacy of natural or synthetic endometriosis treatments. This model may help in the improvement of disease understanding and the development of targeted therapeutic drugs.

Abstract Background Newer generation ultrathin strut stents are associated with less incidence of target lesion failure (TLF) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the short term. However, its long-term effect on different cardiovascular outcomes remains unknown. Objectives We aim to identify the effects of newer-generation ultrathin-strut stents vs. standard thickness second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) on long-term outcomes of revascularization in coronary artery disease. Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and registries that compare newer-generation ultrathin-strut ( 70 mm) DES to evaluate cardioprotective effects over a period of up to 5 years. Primary outcome was TLF, a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI) or target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary outcomes included the components of TLF, stent thrombosis (ST), and all-cause death were pooled as the standardized mean difference between the two groups from baseline to endpoint. Results We included 19 RCTs and two prospective registries (103,101 patients) in this analysis. The overall effect on the primary outcome was in favor of second-generation ultrathin struts stents in terms of TLF at ≥ 1 year, ≥ 2 years, and ≥ 3 years (P value = 0.01, 95% CI [0.75, 0.96]), P value = 0.003, 95% CI [0.77, 0.95]), P value = 0.007, 95% CI [0.76, 0.96]), respectively. However, there was no reported benefit in terms of TLF when we compared the two groups at ≥ 5 years (P value = 0.21), 95% CI [0.85, 1.04]). Some of the reported components of the primary and secondary outcomes, such as TLR, target vessel revascularization (TVR), and TVMI, showed the same pattern as the TLF outcome. Conclusion Ultrathin-strut DES showed a beneficial effect over thicker strut stents for up to 3 years. However, at the 5-year follow-up, the ultrathin strut did not differ in terms of TLF, TLR, TVR, and TVMI compared with standard-thickness DES, with similar risks of patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE), MI, ST, cardiac death, and all-cause mortality.

A general quasilinear sixth-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) is an important class of ODEs. The primary objective of this study is to establish a numerical method for solving a general class of quasilinear sixth-order partial differential equations (PDEs) and ODEs. However, the Runge–Kutta method (RKM) approach for solving special classes of ODEs has been generalized as an effort to solve the general class of ODEs. Nonlinear algebraic order condition (OCs) equations have been obtained up to the tenth order using the Taylor-series expansion methodology which is used to derive the novel generalized Runge–Kutta method (GRKM). In this study, a GRKM integrator has been derived for solving a general class of quasilinear sixth-order ODEs and then this method is modified subsequently to solve a class of PDEs. Accordingly, the proposed GRKM is modified to solve a quasilinear sixth-order PDE by converting it to a system of sixth-ODEs using the method of lines. Nine problems have been implemented to prove the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. Simulation results of these problems showed that the proposed numerical GRKM is an accurate and efficient method. In contrast, by comparing the proposed GRKM numerical approach with the classical RK method, the numerical results demonstrate that the direct integrator outperforms the indirect classical RK method in terms of algorithm complexity and function evaluations, proving that the numerical GRKM is efficient.

Abstract A new DES (MTPPBr-PHTH-DES) was prepared from a mixture of methyltriphenyl-phosphonium bromide (MTPPBr) and phthalic acid (PHTH). The eutectic point phase diagram showed that a one-to-one molar ratio of MTPPBr to PHTH is the optimal molar ratio for the synthesis of new DES. Then, it was characterized with various techniques such as FT-IR, TGA/DTA, densitometer, eutectic point, and NMR and used as a novel acid catalyst in the synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidines and pyrano[3,2-c]chromes in solvent-free condition. Short reaction time, low temperature, high efficiency, green condition, and easy recycling and separation of the DES catalyst are among the most important features of the presented method.

Endometriosis is a common condition that affects 5% to 10% of women during their reproductive years, although the aetiology and pathophysiology are still unknown. This study aimed to create an endometriosis model in rats to investigate the efficacy of natural and synthetic medications in treating endometriosis. An in vivo endometriotic model was established using a surgical induction method and the endocrine-disrupting drug diethylstilbestrol (DES). In brief, the experiment is categorised into three different groups. Each group contains five rats. The first group had no surgery, while in the in the second group of rats (n = 5), two small tissue grafts were fixed at the right and left walls of the abdomen. But in the in the third group of rats (n = 5), two small pieces of tissue have been grafted on the right and left abdomen walls by surgically along with DES treatments. Noninvasive photoacoustic imaging (PAI) was employed in the study to measure factors such as haemoglobin levels, oxygen saturation, and the size of endometriotic lesions. Histopathological analysis was carried out utilising staining techniques such as Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson's Trichrome, and Periodic Acid Schiff, as well as immunohistochemistry with marker antibodies. Molecular markers in uterine tissue were examined using Western blots and real-time PCR. The developed endometriosis rat model showed a significant increase in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, angiogenic marker VEGF and pro-inflammatory (COX-2 and IL-6) protein markers. In contrast to the control group, the treatment group had considerably lower Caspase-3 expression levels. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) data demonstrated a constant increase in lesion size, as well as a decrease in oxygen saturation levels. The findings suggest that the in vivo endometriosis rat model may accurately assess the efficacy of natural or synthetic endometriosis treatments. This model may help in the improvement of disease understanding and the development of targeted therapeutic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rate of in-stent restenosis (ISR) is decreasing; however, it is still a challenge for contemporary invasive cardiologists. Therapeutic methods, including drug-eluting balloons (DEBs), intravascular lithotripsy, excimer laser coronary atherectomy, and imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES), have been implemented. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are burdened with a higher risk of ISR than the general population. Aims: DM-Dragon is aimed at evaluating the clinical outcomes of ISR treatment with DEBs vs. DES, focusing on patients with co-existing diabetes mellitus. Methods: The DM-Dragon registry is a retrospective study comprising data from nine high-volume PCI centers in Poland. A total of 1117 patients, of whom 473 individuals had DM and were treated with PCI due to ISR, were included. After propensity-score matching (PSM), 198 pairs were created for further analysis. The primary outcome of the study was target lesion revascularization (TLR). Results: In DM patients after PSM, TLR occurred in 21 (10.61%) vs. 20 (10.1%) in non-diabetic patients, p = 0.8690. Rates of target vessel revascularization (TVR), target vessel myocardial infarction, device-oriented composite endpoint (DOCE), and cardiac death did not differ significantly. Among diabetic patients, the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly lower in the DEB group (2.78% vs. 11.11%, HR 3.67 (95% confidence interval, CI) [1.01–13.3), p = 0.0483). Conclusions: PCI with DEBs is almost as effective as DES implantation in DM patients treated for ISR. In DM-Dragon, the rate of all-cause death was significantly lower in patients treated with DEBs. Further large-scale, randomized clinical trials would be needed to support these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Newer generation ultrathin strut stents are associated with less incidence of target lesion failure (TLF) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the short term. However, its long-term effect on different cardiovascular outcomes remains unknown. Objectives: We aim to identify the effects of newer-generation ultrathin-strut stents vs. standard thickness second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) on long-term outcomes of revascularization in coronary artery disease. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and registries that compare newer-generation ultrathin-strut (< 70 mm) with thicker strut (> 70 mm) DES to evaluate cardioprotective effects over a period of up to 5 years. Primary outcome was TLF, a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI) or target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary outcomes included the components of TLF, stent thrombosis (ST), and all-cause death were pooled as the standardized mean difference between the two groups from baseline to endpoint. Results: We included 19 RCTs and two prospective registries (103,101 patients) in this analysis. The overall effect on the primary outcome was in favor of second-generation ultrathin struts stents in terms of TLF at ≥ 1 year, ≥ 2 years, and ≥ 3 years (P value = 0.01, 95% CI [0.75, 0.96]), P value = 0.003, 95% CI [0.77, 0.95]), P value = 0.007, 95% CI [0.76, 0.96]), respectively. However, there was no reported benefit in terms of TLF when we compared the two groups at ≥ 5 years (P value = 0.21), 95% CI [0.85, 1.04]). Some of the reported components of the primary and secondary outcomes, such as TLR, target vessel revascularization (TVR), and TVMI, showed the same pattern as the TLF outcome. Conclusion: Ultrathin-strut DES showed a beneficial effect over thicker strut stents for up to 3 years. However, at the 5-year follow-up, the ultrathin strut did not differ in terms of TLF, TLR, TVR, and TVMI compared with standard-thickness DES, with similar risks of patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE), MI, ST, cardiac death, and all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: The introduction of drug-eluting coronary stents (DES) into clinical practice in 2002 represented a major milestone in the treatment of obstructive coronary artery disease. Over the years, significant advances in polymer coating and in antiproliferative agent technology have further improved the safety and clinical performance of newer-generation DES. Areas covered: Development of platinum chromium (PtCr) alloys with high radial strength and high radiopacity have enabled the design of new, thin-strut, flexible, and highly trackable stent platforms, while simultaneously improving stent visibility. These advances have facilitated complex percutaneous treatment of a diverse population of patients in clinical practice. This review will provide an overview of the evolution in PtCr everolimus-eluting stents from PROMUS Element™ to SYNERGY™ to the recently introduced SYNERGY MEGATRON™. The clinical data will be summarized and put into perspective, especially focusing on the role of the SYNERGY™ and MEGATRON™ platforms in the treatment of complex coronary artery disease and high-risk patients. Expert opinion: The SYNERGY™ stent demonstrates favorable clinical efficacy and safety outcome data, and whilst the clinical data on MEGATRON™ are sparse, early experience is promising. The specific overexpansion capabilities, visibility, and radial strength of the MEGATRON™ are attractive features for complex coronary interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new DES (MTPPBr-PHTH-DES) was prepared from a mixture of methyltriphenyl-phosphonium bromide (MTPPBr) and phthalic acid (PHTH). The eutectic point phase diagram showed that a one-to-one molar ratio of MTPPBr to PHTH is the optimal molar ratio for the synthesis of new DES. Then, it was characterized with various techniques such as FT-IR, TGA/DTA, densitometer, eutectic point, and NMR and used as a novel acid catalyst in the synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidines and pyrano[3,2-c]chromes in solvent-free condition. Short reaction time, low temperature, high efficiency, green condition, and easy recycling and separation of the DES catalyst are among the most important features of the presented method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A substitution box (S-Box) is a fundamental component used in DES and AES. This is used to achieve non-linearity in encryption. The use of S-Box also introduces the property of confusion in symmetric cipher systems. A finite field in the multiplicative inverses of GF (28) is the basis for the generation of the S-Box in the AES algorithm. This paper presents a novel approach that utilizes the XOR vector space for generating the S-Box. The XOR vector space is constructed using two-dimensional values comprising vectors of size of 2b. Following this, the resulting S-Box is employed in standard algorithms such as DES and AES to encrypt the image. Furthermore, this paper assesses the security aspects of the proposed algorithm by measuring various parameters. The result is compared with methods that generate various S-Boxes for the DES and AES algorithms. This suggests that the proposed method is relatively better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical method for generating dynamic stall using ANSYS Fluent and a user-defined function (UDF), with the complete script shared for reference, is introduced and tested. The study draws inspiration from bird flight, exploring dynamic stall as a method for achieving enhanced aerodynamic performance. The numerical method was tested on NACA 0012 airfoils with corresponding chord lengths of c 1 = 40   m m , c 2 = 150   m m , and c 3 = 300   m m at Reynolds numbers ranging from R e 1 = 2.8 × 10 4 up to R e 5 = 1.04 × 10 6 . Airfoil oscillations were settled for all cases at ω = 0.55   H z . Detached eddy simulation (DES) is employed as the turbulence model for the simulations presented, ensuring the accurate representation of the flow characteristics and dynamic stall phenomena. The study provides a detailed methodology, encouraging further exploration by researchers, especially young academics and students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited myocardial disease at risk of sudden death. Genetic testing impacts greatly in ACM diagnosis, but gene-disease associations have yet to be determined for the increasing number of genes included in clinical panels. Genetic variants evaluation was undertaken for the most relevant non-desmosomal disease genes. We retrospectively studied 320 unrelated Italian ACM patients, including 243 cases with predominant right-ventricular (ARVC) and 77 cases with predominant left-ventricular (ALVC) involvement, who did not carry pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in desmosome-coding genes. The aim was to assess rare genetic variants in transmembrane protein 43 (TMEM43), desmin (DES), phospholamban (PLN), filamin c (FLNC), cadherin 2 (CDH2), and tight junction protein 1 (TJP1), based on current adjudication guidelines and reappraisal on reported literature data. Thirty-five rare genetic variants, including 23 (64%) P/LP, were identified in 39 patients (16/243 ARVC; 23/77 ALVC): 22 FLNC, 9 DES, 2 TMEM43, and 2 CDH2. No P/LP variants were found in PLN and TJP1 genes. Gene-based burden analysis, including P/LP variants reported in literature, showed significant enrichment for TMEM43 (3.79-fold), DES (10.31-fold), PLN (117.8-fold) and FLNC (107-fold). A non-desmosomal rare genetic variant is found in a minority of ARVC patients but in about one third of ALVC patients; as such, clinical decision-making should be driven by genes with robust evidence. More than two thirds of non-desmosomal P/LP variants occur in FLNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During recent years, many researchers and professionals have revealed the endangerment of wireless communication technologies and systems from various cyberattacks, these attacks cause detriment and harm not only to private enterprises but to the government organizations as well. The attackers endeavor new techniques to challenge the security frameworks, use powerful tools and tricks to break any sized keys, security of private and sensitive data is in the stale mark. There are many advancements being developed to mitigate these attacks. In this conjunction, this paper gives a complete account of survey and review of the various exiting advanced cyber security standards along with challenges faced by the cyber security domain. The new generation attacks are discussed and documented in detail and the advanced key management schemes are also depicted. The quantum cryptography is discussed with its merits and future scope of the same. Overall, the paper would be a kind of technical report to the new researchers to get acquainted with the recent advancements in Cyber security domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new and very quick method to depolymerize PET plastics is reported. The depolymerization experiments were conducted using a type-IV deep eutectic solvent containing ZnCl2 and urea, and a microwave oven as reactor. Different combinations of power and reaction times were employed while keeping the total energy constant. Successful conversions were obtained carrying out the process at 180 W for 2 min and 360 W for 1 min, whereas at higher powers and shorter times, an inclusion likely occurs of some solvent into the structure of the recovered PET flakes, as suggested by the porosity of the flakes, imaged by SEM microscopy. The flakes increase their crystalline character during the treatment, as indicated by the appearance of narrow diffraction peaks in the XRD patterns, at variance with the broad signals observed in the case of the pristine amorphous polymer. The NMR analysis of the supernatant liquid above the partially solubilized PET shows the presence of terephthalic acid peaks. The infrared spectra of the solid powder achieved upon the acidic treatment of the extract reveal the presence of C=O stretching peaks and the absence of typical CH2 wagging absorptions that satisfactorily comply with the presence of terephthalic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era marked by growing concerns about data security and privacy, the need for robust encryption techniques has become a matter of paramount importance. The primary goal of this study is to protect sensitive information during transmission while ensuring efficient and reliable decryption at the receiver's side. To generate robust and unique cryptographic keys, the proposed approach trains an autoencoder neural network based on hashing and optionally generated prime numbers in the MNIST dataset. The key serves as the foundation for secure communication. An additional security layer to the cryptographic algorithm passing through the first ciphertext, was employed utilizing the XORed and Blum-Blum-Shub (BBS) generators to make the system resistant to various types of attacks. This approach offers a robust and innovative solution for secure data transmission, combining the strengths of autoencoder-based key generation and cryptographic encryption. Its effectiveness is demonstrated through testing and simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The efficiency and quality of the emergency department are paramount to ensure that patients receive immediate and appropriate care. Issues such as lengthy waiting times, critical resource management and allocation, and patient scheduling are linked to increased morbidity and mortality, particularly among the elderly and vulnerable populations. This study aims to assess the performance of an emergency department hospital in Rio de Janeiro based on the analysis of resource utilization and queue performance. The methodology encompassed the development of the emergency macro-process, a preliminary statistical analysis of the collected data, and discrete event simulation under different demand conditions. The study found that the average length of stay in the emergency department was 58.12 minutes, potentially increasing to 104.58 minutes under a 15% demand stress. Improvement scenarios were tested, and their efficiencies were measured using data envelopment analysis in an output-oriented and constant return to scale model. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the proposed performance enhancements could make the hospital more responsive to demand peaks and emergencies, ensuring greater resilience and better resource utilization under adverse conditions.

Traditional value stream mapping (VSM) has played substantial role in reducing lean wastes in the manufacturing sector overall as well as specifically within automotive companies. However, it provides only a static view of linear production systems with limited process details. This research is conducted in the case of leather industry. The case study is challenged with work -in- progress inventory, unnecessary processes, long waiting time, and long lead time. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to address literature gaps and challenges faced by a case leather company and enhance operational efficiency by combining VSM with discrete event simulation. Product matrix analysis is used to categorize leather goods into product families and select a representative product. Data collection involves direct observation (Gemba-walk) and report reviews. Numerical results from the enhanced current state VSM (ECSVSM) quantify value-added time, non-value-added time, value-added ratio, Takt Time, and total production lead time as 2198.24 s, 14.59 d, 0.54%, 230.1 s, and 14.67 d, respectively. This ECSVSM data is then applied to develop a simulation model of the As-Is system. Based on findings from the ECSVSM and As-Is simulation, shop floor wastes are identified. Alternative scenarios are proposed to mitigate these wastes, with one scenario selected along with additional proposals involving 5S, supermarkets, and layout adjustments. A future state VSM incorporates these solutions. Results demonstrate major improvements, including enhanced operational efficiency up 8.16%, and reductions in non-value-added time by 42.9%, lead time by 42.72%, alongside increased value-added ratio by 55.56% and lowered key waste categories.

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BACKGROUND: Amine‐based deep eutectic mixtures composed of choline chloride and a DEA‐based hydrogen‐bond donor (HBD) can be used in various molar ratios such as 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6 and 1:7 for isolation of cardanol from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). RESULTS: In this study, green techniques were created to extract cardanol from CNSL by utilizing a deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on diethanolamine with various molar ratios [hydrogen‐bond acceptor (HBA): HBD] of 1:2, 1:3,1:4,1:5, 1:6 and 1:7. To enhance cardanol's solubility in DES, promote phase separation, and increase cardanol yield, ethyl acetate (EA) and isobutyl methyl ketone (IBMK) could be utilized as co‐solvents. At temperatures ranging from 293 to 343.15 K and 1 atm, the density of various molar ratios of DES was determined. Additionally, the prepared DES pH behaviour as well as the relationship between pH and temperature were investigated. All investigated DES temperature increases caused a decrease in pH value. By using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), similar molar ratios of amine‐based DESs were studied for their thermal stability in terms of decomposition temperature, mass loss and melting temperature. The melting temperature and thermal stability were both increased when the HBD increased. The thermal stability of DES, which mostly depends on intermolecular interactions, is greatly influenced by HBD. Finally, at T = 298.15 K and 1 atm, cardanol was extracted from 50 mL CNSL using different volumes of various molar ratios of DES (100 mL, 75 mL, 50 mL and 25 mL) together with 25 mL IBMK and 25 mL EA. The extracted cardanol was evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. CONCLUSION: It was observed that the yields of cardanol from each prepared molar ratios ratio of 100 mL DES were 96.57%, 95.38% and 92.87%, respectively. In this study, the sigma potential and sigma profile of chosen HBA and HBD were determined using conductor‐like screening model for real solvents (COSMO‐RS), and the interactions between the molecules during the extraction process were analyzed. The findings demonstrated the viability of using the chosen DESs for the polyphenol extraction process. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper constructs and generalizes the numerical Runge-Kutta-Mohammed (RKM) method for solving twelve-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The novel contribution of this study is the development and generalization of the numerical RKM methods for solving ODEs of the order of less than a tenth. The algebraic order conditions (OCs) for the proposed RKM method are derived up to order thirteen using Taylor expansion. Then, the constructed method has been derived from these order conditions. However, the proposed numerical RKM method has been evaluated at some implementations and compared to an existing Runge-Kutta (RK) method to determine the method's viability. Moreover, this comparison demonstrates the proposed direct method is more efficient than the classical method in terms of efficiency and accuracy. Also, numerical implementations are used to prove the efficiency and time complexity of function evaluations. This direct RKM method is a suggested technique for solving ODEs of twelve orders which has great features like a direct and efficient method. Consequently, the proposed method requires less time complexity of computation than other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to present the efficacy analysis of electric vehicle (EV) charging/discharging process as a sink or a distributed energy source (DES) in the framework of LFC problem of multi-area multi-source deregulated power system (MAMS-DPS). The energy storage/extraction of EVs acts as a noteworthy role in mitigation of deviation frequency of DPS. A problem of AGC system for two-area DPS having two thermal power generators of non-reheat type and aggregated fleet of EVs in each area is considered to study here. The electric power contract between the distribution (DISCOs) and generation (GENCOs) companies in the restructured environment of DPS is specified through a contract participation matrix named as the DPM. In DPS area deviation frequency, generated and tie-line powers fluctuate in case of variation of load. To resolve these problems the efficacy of EV is accessed applying the optimal control scheme using TLBO algorithm and compared performances with the control schemes based on the optimization algorithms of GA as well as PSO, and PI, PID control schemes. The comparative performance of responses of system variables of the deviation frequency, generated power, and tie-line power are analysed applying the control schemes as PI control for without/with EV cases, and PID control, and the GA/PSO/TLBO-tuned PI/PID control schemes for with EV case. The TLBO-PID control scheme outperforms to mitigate the deviations observing the steady-state error, undershoot, overshoot, and settling time performance indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]